🚀 Houston, pass the popcorn: NASA’s free streaming app, NASA+, is awesome. Watch it for free on NASA’s website or download the app on your phone, TV or favorite streaming device. All programs are family-friendly and ad-free.
3 clever ways to use your hotel or rental's TV
We can recommend many travel tips, including using the hotel’s safe, bringing an emergency door-stopper and blocking the peephole in your room. Tap or click here for five clever tech steps before you hit the road.
But how many travel tips do you know that focus on the hotel TV? These devices are notorious for being expensive ways to relax between outings. The good news is they can be so much more than that.
Keep reading for three life hacks that can help you use your hotel room’s TV to the fullest extent.
1. Ditch your wall charger
Have you ever brought a charging cable for your phone while traveling but forgot the charging block? Without the block, you’re out of luck. Until now. If your hotel has a smart TV, you can plug your charging cable into its USB port and use it to charge your device.
Desk-mounted charging ports are becoming increasingly common, but the TV and lamps in the room are also just as likely to feature this extremely convenient consideration. One less thing to pack, right?
2. Keep your login info to yourself
Never use hotel equipment to log into streaming, social media or bank accounts. It’s probably one of the most critical travel tips on this list.
Your room’s TV may be as risky as the computers in the lobby. Never sign into a streaming service through an app on a hotel or rental room’s TV. Your information may be compromised, and you might give subsequent guests access to your accounts and in-app purchases.
Streaming directly from your phone, laptop or other devices is one way to stay entertained. Some hotel chains may place limitations such as HDMI port blockers or software limiting your use of the TV, but this won’t always be an issue. Bring an HDMI cable to connect your device to the TV.
3. Safer ways to stream
The easiest way to watch your streaming services on a hotel TV is to bring a streaming device, like a Chromecast or Fire TV Stick. This way, you can use your services without signing into a device that doesn’t travel with you. Tap or click here for details on how to do it.
Hear your TV at whatever volume you want
Watching TV at home is supposed to be an easy stress reliever. But it’s hard to relax when your roommates or family tell you to turn it down. Sometimes, they make you turn it down so low you can barely hear anything.
Yes, your streaming device is tracking you
Ever wonder how your Roku, Fire Stick, or Apple TV seem to know who you are? I uncover the secrets of their prying eyes.
🆕 No more Chromecast: It’s being replaced by the $99 Google TV Streamer, which ships in September. The new streaming device is equipped with Gemini AI and better specs, like on-screen smart home controls, detailed video summaries and finetuned recommendations.
We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.
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